So anyway I watched some films recently -
Public Enemies
Since I missed this at the multiplex I've been waiting for it arrive in my local shop. I did have DVD rip on my hard drive for some time, but I figured it's a Michael Mann film I should watch this in the best medium available to me. So I did.
The story of John Dillinger's downfall is done exactly as I thought I wouldn't be. I feared this would be a Robin Hood tale glossing over the fact that despite that he robbed banks (and while I'm at it, fuck banks) he was a heroic figure. Instead Dillinger is portrayed as a dangerous man, a murderer and a thief. There's no glory in his actions just dead bodies and an undignified demise.
However this doesn't mean Dillinger is like a panto villain, or even a standard movie bad guy. You'll be hard pressed not to like the man, but filmmakers ensure his actions are never condoned or justified. John Dillinger way have been a charismatic man, but he'd still shoot you if you got in the way. It would be difficult to misinterpret this movie the same way Oliver Stone's Scarface has been.
On the other side of the coin is Melvin Purvis, the worst named good guy ever. He's a Bureau of Investigation (BOI) agent that gets the job done. And that's all you'll ever learn about him. Christian Bale lends him the gravitas you get when you hire Christian Bale, but there's nothing really going on there. Purvis has the job of capturing Dillinger because that is his job. Without the confines of history (and when has that ever stopped a screenwriter?) some personal drama between the protagonists could be invented. Since Dillinger actively didn't want to be in the same room as the authorities the movie has a problem.
I was reminded a lot of The Untouchables while watching Public Enemies, though that could be just the period both films are set in. Public Enemies is also the inverse of The Untouchables. In De Palmas film the lawman Elliot Ness was the centre of the film, whereas Public Enemies has Dillinger forefront. And here's the thing, I liked this movie so much I'd like Mann to do it again from the other perspective.
Of course that is unlikely to happen and the only way I'll revisit this world is to watch it again. Also, best Tommy gun shoot outs ever.
Friday 13th
I like a rubbish horror movie, so it follows on that I like the Friday 13th franchise. They are all terrible movies never once going near the inventiveness of their rivals. Every single one of the ten original movies are low budget embarrassments of cinema. With the exception of Jason goes to Manhattan (for about 5 seconds) they all check the boxes of sex and violence, which unfortunately dulls my critical knife and allows me to actually enjoy something for once.
The remake of Friday 13th clearly had the same two box checklist and it fills them admirably. It then completely gets it wrong. Perhaps its perverse for saying that the filmmakers have made a competent film, that is the fault though. The effects are excellent, there is a nearly compelling story and I think I saw some acting. Its just not shit enough, its a proper film. And thats just wrong wrong wrong. It seems unfair to have this movie hoist the burden of the franchise.
I come from the days of watching bad effects on a bad video tape thats seen the insides of a million dirty VCR's. Watching Jason Voorhees murder in Pristine O Vision just doesn't work for me. However if you're looking for a decent slasher and you're not stuck in VHS land like me I think you'll enjoy it.
500 Days of Summer
This movie didn't stand a chance, and I didn't give it one either. I got as far as the "You like The Smiths, I like The Smiths" bit and turned it off. Gosh two people that like The Smiths, because they are really obscure. You certainly don't hear about them much, or get loads of people covering there songs. They certainly wouldn't be one the biggest bands in British music history at all. And Jesus H Christ I'd rather sexually experiment with animals before I knew carnal knowledge with a Morrissey disciple.
Maybe after that bit of screenwriter wish fulfillment bollocks it gets good but I severely doubt it.
Special mention goes to the opening text -
"The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch."
You sure showed her buddy.
I used to like quirky indie movies, but then quirky became having some well known 80's indie bands on the soundtrack. Fuck them all.
Stranger Than Fiction
Can someone get Will Farrell to stop making movies? Please.
This is the second movie I've wanted to like that he's ruined. The other was Land of the Lost, a completely ridiculous yet very pleasant few hours of cinema. All that is ruined by Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell. It works when he has to be an asshole, but this persona just doesn't work in films were the character isn't. Unfortunately that appears to be his range.
So anyway Stranger than Fiction, excellent premise that doesn't cop out and Maggie Gyllenhall is in it (god I love her). You'll have to put me in that device Alex endures in A Clockwork Orange before I see it again though all due to the star of Anchorman. Shame really.
Land of the Lost
Since I've mentioned it here's a review. Lots of fun, Anna Friel being typically cute as hell, dinosaurs and that guy thats in lots of stuff recently who is funny.
All this is ruined by Will Ferrell not being funny. Fuck off Will Ferrell.
Special mention goes to TV show Cosmos which is mainly Carl Sagan talking about how ace space is. He's not wrong either.
Public Enemies
Since I missed this at the multiplex I've been waiting for it arrive in my local shop. I did have DVD rip on my hard drive for some time, but I figured it's a Michael Mann film I should watch this in the best medium available to me. So I did.
The story of John Dillinger's downfall is done exactly as I thought I wouldn't be. I feared this would be a Robin Hood tale glossing over the fact that despite that he robbed banks (and while I'm at it, fuck banks) he was a heroic figure. Instead Dillinger is portrayed as a dangerous man, a murderer and a thief. There's no glory in his actions just dead bodies and an undignified demise.
However this doesn't mean Dillinger is like a panto villain, or even a standard movie bad guy. You'll be hard pressed not to like the man, but filmmakers ensure his actions are never condoned or justified. John Dillinger way have been a charismatic man, but he'd still shoot you if you got in the way. It would be difficult to misinterpret this movie the same way Oliver Stone's Scarface has been.
On the other side of the coin is Melvin Purvis, the worst named good guy ever. He's a Bureau of Investigation (BOI) agent that gets the job done. And that's all you'll ever learn about him. Christian Bale lends him the gravitas you get when you hire Christian Bale, but there's nothing really going on there. Purvis has the job of capturing Dillinger because that is his job. Without the confines of history (and when has that ever stopped a screenwriter?) some personal drama between the protagonists could be invented. Since Dillinger actively didn't want to be in the same room as the authorities the movie has a problem.
I was reminded a lot of The Untouchables while watching Public Enemies, though that could be just the period both films are set in. Public Enemies is also the inverse of The Untouchables. In De Palmas film the lawman Elliot Ness was the centre of the film, whereas Public Enemies has Dillinger forefront. And here's the thing, I liked this movie so much I'd like Mann to do it again from the other perspective.
Of course that is unlikely to happen and the only way I'll revisit this world is to watch it again. Also, best Tommy gun shoot outs ever.
Friday 13th
I like a rubbish horror movie, so it follows on that I like the Friday 13th franchise. They are all terrible movies never once going near the inventiveness of their rivals. Every single one of the ten original movies are low budget embarrassments of cinema. With the exception of Jason goes to Manhattan (for about 5 seconds) they all check the boxes of sex and violence, which unfortunately dulls my critical knife and allows me to actually enjoy something for once.
The remake of Friday 13th clearly had the same two box checklist and it fills them admirably. It then completely gets it wrong. Perhaps its perverse for saying that the filmmakers have made a competent film, that is the fault though. The effects are excellent, there is a nearly compelling story and I think I saw some acting. Its just not shit enough, its a proper film. And thats just wrong wrong wrong. It seems unfair to have this movie hoist the burden of the franchise.
I come from the days of watching bad effects on a bad video tape thats seen the insides of a million dirty VCR's. Watching Jason Voorhees murder in Pristine O Vision just doesn't work for me. However if you're looking for a decent slasher and you're not stuck in VHS land like me I think you'll enjoy it.
500 Days of Summer
This movie didn't stand a chance, and I didn't give it one either. I got as far as the "You like The Smiths, I like The Smiths" bit and turned it off. Gosh two people that like The Smiths, because they are really obscure. You certainly don't hear about them much, or get loads of people covering there songs. They certainly wouldn't be one the biggest bands in British music history at all. And Jesus H Christ I'd rather sexually experiment with animals before I knew carnal knowledge with a Morrissey disciple.
Maybe after that bit of screenwriter wish fulfillment bollocks it gets good but I severely doubt it.
Special mention goes to the opening text -
"The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch."
You sure showed her buddy.
I used to like quirky indie movies, but then quirky became having some well known 80's indie bands on the soundtrack. Fuck them all.
Stranger Than Fiction
Can someone get Will Farrell to stop making movies? Please.
This is the second movie I've wanted to like that he's ruined. The other was Land of the Lost, a completely ridiculous yet very pleasant few hours of cinema. All that is ruined by Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell. It works when he has to be an asshole, but this persona just doesn't work in films were the character isn't. Unfortunately that appears to be his range.
So anyway Stranger than Fiction, excellent premise that doesn't cop out and Maggie Gyllenhall is in it (god I love her). You'll have to put me in that device Alex endures in A Clockwork Orange before I see it again though all due to the star of Anchorman. Shame really.
Land of the Lost
Since I've mentioned it here's a review. Lots of fun, Anna Friel being typically cute as hell, dinosaurs and that guy thats in lots of stuff recently who is funny.
All this is ruined by Will Ferrell not being funny. Fuck off Will Ferrell.
Special mention goes to TV show Cosmos which is mainly Carl Sagan talking about how ace space is. He's not wrong either.